During Ahab's reign over the Northern Kingdom, Elijah was God's prophet. When Elijah first came to Ahab, he had a message for him. "And Elijah the Tishbite, of the inhabitants of Gilead, said to Ahab, As the LORD God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, except at my word." {1 Kings 17:1} God called Elijah to flee from Ahab's wrath. During this time, God kept Elijah alive first by sending a raven to feed him, and then by sending him to stay with a widow and her son in Zarephath. During Elijah's stay with the widow, her son died suddenly. Three times, Elijah prayed to God, pleading with Him to restore the boy's life. God granted Elijah's request.

After more than three years, God called Elijah to go to Ahab and tell him that He was about to send rain upon the earth. During this time, Ahab and Jezebel had been searching for Elijah. Other nations could not hide him because they feared the wrath of Ahab and Jezebel. Ahab and his servant Obadiah were searching the land for water to save their animals. When Obadiah saw and met Elijah, he respected him and greatly feared God. What attitude did Obadiah exhibit when Elijah told him to go and tell Ahab Elijah was there? "...How have I sinned, that you are delivering your servant into the hand of Ahab, to kill me?" {1 Kings 18:9} Elijah assured him that he would remain there; so Obadiah went, as Elijah requested, to tell Ahab. What happened when Ahab saw Elijah? "Then it happened, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said to him, 'Is that you, O troubler of Israel?' And he answered, I have not troubled Israel, but you and your father's house have, in that you have forsaken the commandments of the LORD and have followed the Baals."{1 Kings 18:17,18} Ahab, by influencing God's people to worship Baal, caused the problems in Israel.

Elijah set the stage to settle this matter once and for all. He told Ahab to send for the 450 prophets of Baal, and to gather Israel to Mount Carmel. Then Elijah made a proposal. "...How long will you falter between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him. But the people answered him not a word...Therefore let them give us two bulls; and let them choose one bull for themselves, cut it in pieces, and lay it on the wood, but put no fire under it; and I will prepare the other bull, and lay it on the wood, but put no fire under it. Then you call on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the LORD; and the God who answers by fire, He is God." {1 Kings 18: 21,23,24}

Elijah allowed Baal's prophets to try first. From morning till midday--there was no answer. Elijah gave them advice: "...Cry aloud, for he is a god; either he is meditating, or he is busy, or he is on a journey, or perhaps he is sleeping and must be awakened." {1 Kings 18:27} So they did until the evening sacrifice. Then it was Elijah's turn. He directed them to pour twelve barrels of water over the wood and around the altar, and to fill the trench around the altar. "Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that You are the LORD God, and that You have turned their hearts back to You again. Then the fire of the LORD fell and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood and the stones and the dust, and it licked up the water that was in the trench." {1 Kings 18:37,38} God's people were impressed; they promised Him allegiance, and Elijah killed the prophets of Baal.

Indeed, there is only one true, living God! Sadly, the people quickly forgot this event and returned to idol worship. Elijah showed very clearly that God takes no pleasure in those who want to "fence-straddle." What about you dear reader? Are you straddling the fence when it comes to serving God?